Sunday, February 22, 2009

Eleuthero, commonly called Siberian ginseng, was discovered in the 1950s by Russian physician, Isreal Brekman, while he was searching for plants to improve human performance. He hit the jackpot with Eleuthero. Brekman distributed the herb to thousands of workers and found that it helps the body adapt to stress, enhances mental acuity and physical endurance, and also improves the way muscles use oxygen. Brekman wrote that Eleuthero "possesses a remarkably wide range of therapeutic activities protecting the body against stress, radiation, and various chemical toxins … increasing general resistance."

Since it does not have a stimulating effect, it is safely recommended for stressed and non-stressed individuals, alike. In a clinical trial of more than 2,100 healthy people ranging in age from 19 to 72 years, Eleuthero was shown to:1) increase their capacity for mental and physical work, and athletic performance2) decrease recovery time from work and injury3) improve tolerance of environmental stimuli, such as heat, noise, and workload

Excellent support for athletes and students, Eleuthero can help whether you're training for a triathlon or studying for a college entrance exam. Athletes have experienced as much as a 9% improvement in stamina when taking Eleuthero. Russian athletes and cosmonauts who took Eleuthero experienced that it increased their energy, and normalized blood pressure and blood sugar response to sport and performance-related stress. Eleuthero is also believed to support healthy brain function, concentration, memory, and learning, and is a particularly helpful support for students during exams. Eleuthero has an excellent track record as a safe and effective adpatogen.

An interesting tidbit of historical fact is that Daniel Boone, in Kentucky, actually made his fortune trading ginseng although he is remembered as a fur trader. In the book Woodland Nuggets of Gold it is written that George Washington wrote to Daniel Boone “the war effort needs money, bring ginseng.”As an antioxidant, American ginseng boosts the immune system, enhances healthy circulation, and strengthens the body’s response to illness or injury. The part of this adaptogen most commonly is the root. The root of American ginseng is light tan and gnarled, sometimes resembling the shape of the human body. Ginseng is used in many different cultures for its ability to support human health and recovery. It was used in the the mountain regions of the southeastern United States as an aphrodisiac and sexual libido and sexual performance enhancer. It was also widely used because of its ability to relieve fatigue and enhance energy.

(The following scientific information is taken from: Adaptogens, herbs for strength, stamina and stress relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes) Accepted properties: Antioxidant, bitter tonic, mild central nervous system stimulant, mild soother of mucous membranes, hypoglycemic agent and immune amphoteric. Constituents: The active constituents include triterpene saponins, known as ginsenosides or panaxosides.